Listen Now

Hello my amazing Book of Love listeners. This episode is an ode to you. At the end of the year, I was experiencing major burnout. So I took the last two weeks reflecting on my year as a matchmaker. I took some time to reflect on all the couples that were created and wanted to share their unique stories that give us hope for 2023. Each couple taught me a lesson, but these specific couples have unique journeys that created a unique mindset to enter 2023 with. 

Friendships in your 30s are HARD. We're not in high school anymore, this stuff takes work! How do we create meaningful friendships as an adult?  Grab your ticket for the upcoming Girls Night Out Roller Disco Night December 1st from 8PM-10PM www.jessicaclerke.com/events Thank you for listening today! If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend! Or on your social media and tag me @jess.clerke so I can send you a message to personally thank you! Check out my website at: www.jessicaclerke.com If you're on instagram, come say hi!! My Personal Account ---> @jess.clerke The Podcast Account ---> @selfishconfidence

This week, we welcome Danielle from Foxlow Boudoir to discuss confidence and boudoir. Danielle has dedicated herself to building women’s confidence with boudoir photography, a growing social media community, and now an on-demand makeup course.   Alongside photographer Jon Davies, she has created a body positive studio in England that celebrates women of all ages, shapes and sizes with empowering boudoir photoshoots. The amazing women you see on their social media range from 21 to 74 years old, and from UK size 6 to 34, reminding us all that beauty and sensuality have no age or size limits!    Now they’ve found another way to help women feel confident every day with a new online course: Makeup Made Easy featuring their studio makeup artist Charlotte Severn. Through a series of on-demand video tutorials, she explains ten key makeup skills with simple language and demonstrations, then five timeless makeup looks that you can adapt to any occasion.   https://www.foxlowphotography.com   TikTok - @foxlowboudoir https://www.tiktok.com/@foxlowboudoir   Instagram - @foxlowphotography https://www.instagram.com/foxlowphotography/   Facebook Group - The Vixens of Foxlow https://www.facebook.com/groups/foxlowladies   Makeup Made Easy Course https://www.foxlowphotography.com/makeup-made-easy Launch Offer - Half Price until 30th November 2022.

This week is a special episode! We have created a new segment called Sean's Corner. Our male dating coach Sean Aucoin takes over the mic to answer questions from both men and women from the male perspective.    He answers questions such as:   1. It's official, being called a creep is my worst nightmare, how do I approach women without being creepy?   2. We had an amazing date, but he said there was no romantic connection. What the heck?!    3. Why are women so flakey online dating?   4. How can you find a man who wants to date instead of just getting laid?   5. If he sends reactions to my stories, is that a sign of interest?   If you have any questions you would like answered on the next Sean's Corner, be sure to email Sean at sean.moderndayhitch@gmail.com

This week's episode of the book of love hotline covers a lot of the most asked questions in dating:   Question # 1 - Why do women get angry when using the term "wifey type"? Question # 2 - Who pays for the first date? Question # 3 - What you should know before dating a single parent & what single parents need to know when dating. Question # 4 - What to do when someone is asking hard hitting questions about relationships on a first date?   If you aren't in the book of love yet, follow the link below to fill out a brief form, and I will be in touch shortly with more details.    bookoflovecanada.ca

This week we sat down with Dr. Joli Hamilton who is the relationship coach for couples who color outside the lines. She is a research psychologist, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and AASECT (pronounced ay-sect) certified sex educator. Joli also co-hosts the Project Relationship podcast with her anchor partner, Ken. Joli’s been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, NPR, and The Atlantic.  She’s spent the past two decades studying and reimagining what love can be if we open our imaginations to possibility. Joli helps people create non-monogamous partnerships that are custom-built for their authentic selves, no more shrinking, pretending, or hiding required. We spent time discussing questions asked by you including "How do I know a non monogamous lifestyle is for me?" We also discuss her journey from monogamous to non monogamous, how to set boundaries, communication, and what to do when we see ENM online dating. Check out her podcast called "Project Relationship", to discover more on this topic. What do you think? Should we bring Joli on for part 2?

This week we welcome Amber Duffney, from Amber Duffney Coaching. She helps tween girls develop unshakable confidence so they remain self-assured as they become young women... even when facing the unrealistic expectations society puts on them. She is a Certified Professional Coach and graduated from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching in 2018.   We discuss her unique journey to become a coach for tween girls, how our experiences in these formidable years impact the rest of our lives, and what we can do to start our own journey of developing unshakable confidence.    You can reach amber through: Facebook - Amber Duffney Coaching Instagram - grow_empowered   Here is the link to Opt in to her email list about future workshops and events https://mailchi.mp/702a05523103/10-ways-to-validate-your-child-guide?fbclid=IwAR0EZ-aoZMQrUZoHBk4qNepos7gH17NLD0mtcC28MEEzICPP74SOXHufRZg

This week on The Book of Love Podcast, we sat down with Jennifer Calkin, a Masters Level Social Worker registered in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and home province Nova Scotia with 13 years of experience working in both private practice and a charitable organization supporting families of first responders. Both mental health professional and single lady, Jen is here to share her inspiring story and discuss ways to care for your mental health. There are a lot of myths around mental health and seeking out help. We dispel all these myths and also include a few tips on how to maintain our mental health while entering the dating world.    Additional resources include: Crisis Text Line: Text wellness to 741741 Crisis Service Canada: 1-833-456-4566; or Text ‘Hello’ to 45645 Talk Suicide Canada  1-833-456-4566 Community based programs: Your community mental health department  Canadian Mental Health Association Pride Organization Mobile Crisis Most employers have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Check with your employer to find out more. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca Jen can be reach via telephone or text 306-690-1799

This week we welcome Jiveny Blair-West, Dating & Attraction Coach and co-author of How to Make the Biggest Decision of Your Life. As a dating coach, she specializes in teaching singles how to bypass superficial attraction strategies and focus on building the sustainable attraction needed to attract a high-quality partner and build a secure and satisfying long-term relationship. Her signature nine-week course, The Alchemy of Attraction, helps women to develop their relationship wisdom and empower themselves to take action and find true love. You can find all the details and join the program at jiveny.com/aoa   Instagram: @jivenyblairwest  Website: datingforlove.com Quiz: datingforlove.com/quiz Book: https://www.bookdepository.com/How-Make-Biggest-Decision-Your-Life-Dr-George-Blair-West/9780733645013

This week we sat down with dating coach Amie Leadingham, master certified relationship coach. Do you end up with the same type of person, just with a different face? This may mean you have a broken picker. Amie and I talk about what having a broken picker looks like and how to fix it. If we are choosing those we partner up with based on chemistry and physical attraction alone, we will usually end up unsatisfied. Learning how to have more depth and be more vulnerable while meeting and dating people is needed to create better results. To attend a FREE MASTERCLASS with Amie, take the relationship readiness quiz or to work with Amie, check out her website at amiethedatingcoach.com

I am so excited for the release of this episode. This amazing woman Ro is a leader in the discussion of narcissistic love and relationships. Coach, TikTok influencer, mother and narc survivor, Ro answers all our questions about narcissistic abuse.    We discuss the early signs of narcissistic traits when dating, what should be done when we find a red flag, how narcissism manifests and progresses in relationships, how to get out, along with so much more.    To learn more about Ro, or to work with her, be sure to check her out on: TikTok @rollercoasteroflove Instagram @_rollercoasteroflove YouTube @Rollercoaster of Love Website Rollercoasteroflove.ca

This week we sat down with Saskia Nelson, Founder of Hey Saturday, the future of Dating profile photos. Sometimes we think that our photos just need to show people what we look like, but Saskia and I discuss how it also needs to tell a story. Photos are the currency of the dating world, and yet it is what we spend the least time getting right when dating.    The online world is really busy and standing out, visually, on dating apps is becoming more and more challenging. But having good quality profile pictures, in the first instance, is a really good way to drive up engagement with your dating app profile. People are drawn to good quality profile photos over poor quality ones, without a doubt. Having good quality dating app photos also shares the message that you value yourself and that finding a partner is important to you. Both of which are attractive qualities to people who are looking for love on dating apps.   This episode is pure tips and tricks of online dating profiles. If you aren't getting the quality of matches you deserve online, this is the episode for you!   To learn more about Saskia and her business, check out her website at https://www.heysaturday.co/ and you can find her on all the socials at @heysaturday.

We enjoyed our workshop last weekend so much, we wanted to share it with our podcast listeners.   Since bringing a male dating coach onto the J-E Matchmaking team, I learned a lot about the male mindset and psyche when dating. Our men's dating coach Sean and I hostend this free webinar to give our single ladies some insider information about how men think, what they want and translate what they say.   We covered topics such as: - someone's ick, is another person's yum. - Why are men so intimidated by independent women? - How long should you wait to have sex with someone you're dating? - What are men looking for on a first date?

This week's episode of the book of love hotline follows a similar theme. Tribal vetting. What happens when the people you're dating don't get along with your friends and family. What do you do?   Question # 1 - Trying to get my boyfriend out to a family event or friend's birthday is like pulling teeth. If he does come out, he is grumpy and doesn't have a good time, which means I won't have a good time. What should I do?   Question # 2 -  my friends don't like anyone I date. So now I don't bring anyone I date around my friends, and now they complain that I don't make time for them.    Question # 3 -  My girlfriend told me I was the one and tried to break up with me two months ago. But we still hang out, see each other about once a week and act like boyfriend and girlfriend. What should I do?   If you would like to check out any of the upcoming training or events J-E Matchmaking has available, visit my website at jematchmaking.com

In this episode, we look back to episodes 2 and 3, how to be a high value man and woman. If you'd like to get into the Book of Love, check out www.jematchmaking.com

This week we welcome back Haley, Sarah and Sean for the Dating Club! Our main topic this week is online dating and profiles. Join us as we discuss our swiping styles, review a few profiles out there and answer one of the best Am I The Asshole's!   "I’m using a dating app currently and matched with this cute girl. The only issue was that she had on her profile “I don’t want to date men who hold this viewpoint.” This is a viewpoint I hold (don’t want to be detailed about what it was but it was a social justice type thing.) She messaged me first and I responded that I held that viewpoint, and maybe she should be a little more open about who she dates because clearly she liked something about me and she’s just shutting me down right off the bat about one thing. She called me a pretentious ass and unmatched me. My friends are split on the issue. Some think I should have immediately unmatched, but others think I didn’t do anything wrong because I was just trying to broaden someone’s worldview. Am I the asshole for messaging her?"   What do you think?   If you're interested to learn more about J-E Matchmaking services, the first step is to book a 15 minute phone consultation at jematchmaking.com/services. Here we will discuss you, what you're looking for, pricing and the dating plan for you.

This week we welcome our new male dating coach Sean Aucoin, a modern day Hitch! We discuss his personal journey into becoming a dating coach and how it all started with a book given to him for Christmas, "Dating for Dummies". After begrudgingly reading the book, he realized that dating doesn't always come natural, it's an art! He because fascinated with the psychology and human behaviour around dating. After devouring any dating material he could get his hands on, he decided to take his knowledge and real life experience to teach others.   We discuss if the spark is enough, the value of seeing a dating coach, what is missing in dating coaching for men, what we are excited to provide to the men and women of Halifax, and tips and tricks to dating!   If you are interested in working with Sean, either through a boot camp or 1 on 1 coaching, book in a free 15 minute phone consultation through the link below.    Jematchmaking.com/services

This week we welcome Confidence Coach and podcast host of Self(ish) Confidence, Jess Clerke. Self confidence is a super power...but what if you don't have any? It can be hard to show up as your true self. When we go out, or even scrolling on the couch, it's easy to get trapped in the comparison game - which makes it even harder to be your beautiful self. Self(ish) Confidence is about finding your confidence, shining your light and taking action towards a life you’re obsessed with.    We discuss her own confidence journey, myths and misconceptions about confidence, what it looks like working with a confidence coach, and the best first step to take to build your confidence.   When asked of singles who are dating what makes someone so attractive, confidence is their first answer. Can confidence be seen in pictures and on profiles? Jess and I discuss what this looks like.    To follow, listen or work with Jess check out her socials and podcast:   Self(ish) Confidence instagram : https://www.instagram.com/selfishconfidence/   Jess Clerke Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jess.clerke/   Self(ish) Podcast Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/14nHiit1CaWTLVyhID3SYf

This week's episode of the book of love hotline takes all the hottest questions and conversations that I have had over the last couple of months in regards to dating. Buckle up, this is the no bs version of the hotline.   Question # 1 - What to do if I'm dating someone who is still living with their ex?   Question # 2 -  Why is it that those I'm attracted to aren't attracted to me, but those I'm not attracted to are so into me?   Question # 3 -  Don't allow the lowest common denominator to affect your dating life.   If you would like to check out any of the upcoming training J-E Matchmaking has available, visit my website at jematchmaking.com

This week we welcome Rikki Dymond all the way from Calgary, Alberta! In this episode we will be discussing the power of feminine energy. As a woman who lives in her masculine pretty much all day, I've always had a hard time explaining the power of feminine energy which connected me to Rikki and her TikTok's @rikkidymond. Did you know that nagging is actually a masculine act? I sure didn't!   In this episode we define feminine & masculine energy and why the polarity between the two is so attractive when dating. My favourite part of this conversation is how the feminine needs praise and the masculine needs admiration and respect. So often we want to show love by how we feel love, but this is another example of how we need to show our partner love by how they feel loved. We also include tips on how to move into your feminine before going into the dating world.    We didn't have enough time to really get into the depths of this topic and so Rikki and I will be going live on TikTok this Friday night (March 11th) at 9:00 pm. Don't forget to register on TikTok or put it in your calendar to join us.